There is just no easy way to put this. Ana Mae went to be with Jesus today. I was with her and her family when she passed from this life to a much better one this afternoon. She had declined rapidly since I saw her yesterday. Yesterday she was in pain, similar to the pain she's been experiencing for months, but she could move her limbs and even sat up to drink water to take medicine. I honestly thought she had months left and I had planned to figure out the best way to care for her over the next while. When I arrived this afternoon (we had planned to bring her to hospital) she was paralyzed, eyes rolling in the back of her head with labored breathing. The family decided to keep her at home.
My good friend Tabitha joined me today. We anointed Ana Mae with oil and prayed. We worshiped. We invited God's presence and peace and rejected fear. Ana Mae tried to speak at one point but wasn't able to. I could see her trying to focus her eyes on me and the others around her. I just held her hand and we told her how well she had done, how brave she is and how Jesus is here and she is safe. We prayed with her family to surrender her to the will of God. We began to take communion together when her breathing became very slow and each breath became a gasp. Then she sighed with a slight grin on her face and was gone. She was surrounded by her grandmother, parents, sisters, aunties, classmate and cousins.
About ten minutes before her last breath a verse from Romans popped into my head and I felt the Lord was saying that he was going to bring good out of this, for this family and for this community.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
I really did not expect this to happen and so soon. I had hoped for healing till the end, but despite my lack of understanding about why and how this happened, I saw God's grace in this - the timing and quickness of it. There is some comfort in knowing that her suffering is done and did not drag on for months.
We hope in the Lord not because we are sure we will get what we want. We hope in the Lord because he is good, faithful, powerful and loving.
Thank you for caring for Ana Mae from near and far, for praying and for sending money. It is nice to know the family does not have to stress about money right now on top of their great loss.
7 comments:
Oh my precious Jen. I grieve with you. Yet I am so very thankful that Ana Mae is no longer suffering on this side of heaven but is praising Jesus and experiencing the ultimate healing. Your daddy and I will be praying for Ana Mae's family but also remain thankful for your life and how He has used you to bless others. We love you so much.
My sister...I know this had to be hard for you and Ana Mae's family!She is walking with Jesus without pain and free to worship Him in Heaven! I too, like Mom, am so thankful she had you in her life to be there for her in her time of need! God had you there for His purpose my dear sister! We love and pray for peace for you and Ana Mae's family! Love you!
We, too, have been deeply touched by this story and we continue to be so thankful for you. We are praying for Ana Mae's family and community that indeed "all things" will work together for good.
Dear Jeni,
I am so Thankful that God has placed you Ann Mae's life. Your heart is so wonderful and for you to see her all the way through is breath taking, tear filled simply amazing. It is absolutly awesome that you take something that impacted you and how God has molded you to do the things you do.
Everyday I learn more about your heart even though we have a great distance between us. I love you Jeni and I am thankful for you and what you do everyday!
Jen, I am so sorry to hear about Ana Mae's passing. I know that it must have been so difficult to watch but I am sure that her family were so thankful that you were there. I will be praying for her family.
I'm so sorry!! Thankful she is home with Jesus now.
Jen, I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm thankful that you could be there for her and her family throughout this time and in the end. And, thankfulness that she is now without pain and is in heaven.
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